Latest news with #TheWizardOfOz
Black America Web
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
MFT: Lee Vasi (Even With Hives!) Nailed Her First Audition
Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE Michael Ostuni Auditioning for anything requires you to be as close to perfect as possible — a well-rested body, all the lines memorized and making sure personal appearance is top notch, of course, are all check points on the list. Unfortunately, a hive breakout has no boundaries and usually happens at the absolute worst times. Christian R&B sensation Lee Vasi knows that all too well. In this week's 'My First Time,' the budding star took us back to her first audition as a toddler which proved to be successful even if the hives she was experiencing didn't want her to. RELATED: My First Time – Ivory Scott Looks Back On His First Publishing Deal Thankfully even at seven years old she possessed a level of talent that would lead to her nabbing the role — it was for a Munchkin in a production of The Wizard Of Oz ! — but the ultimate lesson was always about seeing her true beauty beyond fixating on a temporary skin rash. Lee Vasi specifically being a musician that dedicates her lyrical content solely to praising God, it was an early lesson in understanding that love for Him begins with love for self. You'll hear more of that on her upcoming debut album, Love Me To Life , highlighted by the recent single, 'He Is.' The song has only been out for a few weeks, and fans are already gearing up for the rise of a superstar…with or without a hive breakout! Take a look at Christian R&B singer Lee Vasi on 'My First Time' below, and keep an eye out for her debut album, Love Me To Life , when it arrives on May 30: SEE ALSO
The Onion
26-03-2025
- General
- The Onion
Funeral Priest Not Sure How Obliquely To Talk About Hot Air Balloon Accident
TULSA, OK—Expressing concern about the most appropriate way to laud the life of a departed parishioner at her funeral, local priest Father Thomas O'Mannon was reportedly unsure Wednesday how obliquely to speak about the woman's fatal hot air balloon accident. 'I think it's fine to say something like, 'Lisa was an adventurous spirit,' but it's definitely too much to mention the Sky Sailors Hot Air Balloon Company specifically,' said O'Mannon, who crumpled up a draft of the eulogy that had a lengthy paragraph comparing the deceased to a dove flying above the earth. 'The more I think about it, the more I'm realizing that I shouldn't mention anything about 'ascending to heaven' whatsoever. And I think to be on the safe side, I should also lose any references to the sky, floating, expanding, wind, clouds, or The Wizard Of Oz . Okay, back to square one.' At press time, O'Mannon confirmed he had decided to just speak from the heart with an extended diatribe about the importance of wicker maintenance.
The Independent
18-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Drag queen The Vivienne's cause of death revealed by ‘devastated' family
The family of drag queen The Vivienne, who won the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, has revealed their cause of death. The body of James Lee Williams, 32, was found at their Cheshire home on January 5. Their death resulted from a cardiac arrest caused by ketamine use, according to their manager and friend, Simon Jones. A formal inquest is scheduled for June. In a statement, Mr Jones said both he and the drag queen's family felt it was important to reveal their cause of death. He expressed hope that releasing the information would raise awareness about the dangers of ketamine and its effect on the body. 'Ketamine usage is on the rise, particularly amongst young people, and I don't think the full dangers of the drug are being discussed. 'We hope that by working with (charity) Adferiad we can raise vital awareness and give information on how to get help if you are struggling with ketamine usage.' During their appearance on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Williams had openly discussed a four-year period of drug addiction. 'It was party, drugs, but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me', they said. Their addiction was a 'habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard', they said. 'I had to be kicked out of my house and told that I would be dead by the time I was 30. 'It was the loneliest part of my life, I was killing myself … and my family don't even know. I was pissing my life up the wall and I could've been dead now if I didn't do anything about it.' Donna Chaves, from Adferiad, said the charity was grateful to the TV personality's family for their work on the campaign. 'Their courage in sharing James's story will help raise vital awareness of the devastating impact substance use can have. We are seeing a worrying rise in the number of people using ketamine, often unaware of the serious risks it poses to their physical and mental health. ' Addiction can affect anyone, and too many people suffer in silence due to stigma and lack of understanding. 'By opening conversations and challenging misconceptions, we can help prevent further tragedies and support those in need to find hope and recovery.' An inquest into The Vivienne's death was opened and adjourned at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington in February. A full inquest is listed to take place on June 30. The star, who grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, before moving to Liverpool, came third in the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice. They performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in 2024. They were due back on stage this month as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year. Their funeral in Bodelwyddan was attended by RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with Steps singer Ian 'H' Watkins, TV personality Kim Woodburn and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney. The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office. According to the UK national anti-drug advisory service Frank, ketamine is a general anaesthetic that reduces sensations in the body which can make users feel dream-like and detached, chilled, relaxed and happy, but also confused and nauseated.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Family reveal how drag queen The Vivienne tragically died to warn others
Drag queen The Vivienne died after taking ketamine, their family has said. James Lee Williams, who won the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK under their drag name, was found dead at the age of 32 at their home in Cheshire on January 5. Their manager and friend Simon Jones said: 'James's family and I feel it is important to say how James tragically died. It was from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest. 'There will, of course, be a formal inquest this June. READ MORE: The Vivienne: Former RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner dies at 32 Inquest opened into death of drag star The Vivienne Ketamine use in Bolton and Greater Manchester on the rise 'I hope that by us releasing this information we can raise awareness about the dangers of ongoing ketamine usage and what it can do your body. 'Ketamine usage is on the rise, particularly amongst young people, and I don't think the full dangers of the drug are being discussed. 'We hope that by working with (charity) Adferiad we can raise vital awareness and give information on how to get help if you are struggling with ketamine usage.' During their time on the show, The Vivienne admitted having been a drug addict for four years. Speaking on the the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, they said: 'It was party, drugs, but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me.' They added that their addiction was a 'habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard'. 'I had to be kicked out of my house and told that I would be dead by the time I was 30. 'It was the loneliest part of my life, I was killing myself… and my family don't even know. I was pissing my life up the wall and I could've been dead now if I didn't do anything about it.' Donna Chaves, from charity Adferiad – who operates across Wales and England, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to James's family for choosing to support and work with us on this campaign. 'Their courage in sharing James's story will help raise vital awareness of the devastating impact substance use can have. We are seeing a worrying rise in the number of people using ketamine, often unaware of the serious risks it poses to their physical and mental health. 'Addiction can affect anyone, and too many people suffer in silence due to stigma and lack of understanding. 'By opening conversations and challenging misconceptions, we can help prevent further tragedies and support those in need to find hope and recovery.' An inquest into the death of The Vivienne was opened and adjourned at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington last month. The TV personality, who grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, before moving to Liverpool, came third in the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice. The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year. They were due back on stage this month as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year. Their funeral in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, was attended by RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with Steps singer Ian 'H' Watkins, TV personality Kim Woodburn and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney. The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office. According to the UK national anti-drug advisory service Frank, ketamine is a general anaesthetic that reduces sensations in the body which can make users feel dream-like and detached, chilled, relaxed and happy, but also confused and nauseated. A full inquest into the death of The Vivienne was listed to take place on June 30. FACTFILE – What is ketamine? According to the UK national anti-drug advisory service Frank, ketamine is a general anaesthetic that reduces sensations in the body which can make users feel dream-like and detached, chilled, relaxed and happy, but also confused and nauseated. It can be used for both humans and animals. The Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust website says ketamine is a licensed anaesthetic drug that can also be used as an 'off-label' treatment for depression, because it has not been licensed for use as an antidepressant in the UK. It says that its brief rapid antidepressant effect has been confirmed in many several clinical trials over the last 20 years. A closely related version, nasal esketamine, is licensed but has not been approved for routine NHS use, mainly because of cost. – Is ketamine illegal in the UK? Ketamine is a class B drug, which means it is illegal to have without a prescription and anyone selling or using it faces a fine or prison sentence. Advisory service Frank said it is also known as ket, special k, super k or vitamin k. The maximum penalty for producing and supplying ketamine is up to 14 years in prison. – Can ketamine be used legally at all in the UK? The Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust says ketamine infusion therapy can be given to people who have depression which has not responded to other treatments. The health trust provides a self-pay ketamine treatment service after suitability is agreed following a referral letter from a GP or psychiatrist. Patients are then given a series of intravenous ketamine infusions, with the average duration of initial benefit 10 days, according to the trust's website. Oral ketamine, supplied as a liquid which can be taken at home, can help maintain the benefit of infusions. As with conventional antidepressants, regular treatment over several years is often needed, the trust says. – How popular is the drug in the UK? The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has also written to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs asking whether its classification should be changed and said she would 'carefully consider' its findings.
Sky News
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Drag queen The Vivienne died after taking ketamine, family says
Drag queen James Lee Williams - known as "The Vivienne"- died after taking ketamine, their family has said. Williams, who won the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019 under their drag name, was found dead at the age of 32 at their home in Cheshire on 5 January. In a statement shared in an Instagram story today, Williams' manager Simon Jones said the "family and I feel it is important to say how James tragically died". Mr Jones continued: "We hope that by us releasing this information, we can raise awareness about the dangers of ongoing ketamine usage and what it can do to your body. "Ketamine usage is on the rise, particularly amongst young people, and I don't think the full dangers of the drug are being discussed." Mr Jones added that he and the family are working with mental health and addiction service Adferiad on a campaign to "raise vital awareness and give information on how to get help if you are struggling with ketamine usage". Williams reportedly died after suffering a cardiac arrest caused by ketamine - a general anaesthetic that is also used as a recreational drug, Donna Chaves, from Adferiad, said: "We are incredibly grateful to James's family for choosing to support and work with us on this campaign. "Their courage in sharing James's story will help raise vital awareness of the devastating impact substance use can have. We are seeing a worrying rise in the number of people using ketamine, often unaware of the serious risks it poses to their physical and mental health. "Addiction can affect anyone, and too many people suffer in silence due to stigma and lack of understanding. "By opening conversations and challenging misconceptions, we can help prevent further tragedies and support those in need to find hope and recovery." An inquest into the death of Williams was opened and adjourned at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington last month. The TV personality, who grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, before moving to Liverpool, came third in the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice. The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year. They were due back on stage this month as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year. Their funeral in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, was attended by RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with Steps singer Ian "H" Watkins, TV personality Kim Woodburn and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney. The government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office. According to the UK national anti-drug advisory service Frank, ketamine reduces sensations in the body which can make users feel dream-like and detached, chilled, relaxed and happy, but also confused and nauseated. A full inquest into the death of The Vivienne was listed to take place on 30 June.
